JP2004178511A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine in which a leaked refrigerant trapped on a merchandise output port is discharged to the outside of the vending machine. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine is provided with: a machine room 16 having ventilation holes 14, 15 located at the lower portion of a vending machine body; and a communicating hole 18 communicating with the machine room 16 at the bottom of a merchandise reception section 17 at the merchandise output port 2a. A combustible refrigerant is prevented from ignition or explosion caused by an ignition source, including a burning cigarette or the like when a customer opens the flap of the merchandise output port 2a in order to discharge the combustible refrigerant trapped on around the merchandise output port 2a to the outside of the vending machine when the combustible refrigerant is leaking into the vending machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure of a vending machine using a flammable refrigerant as a refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle for cooling a product.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment such as refrigerators, vending machines, and air conditioners, the conversion of refrigerants to HFC-based refrigerants as refrigerants that do not destroy the ozone layer is mainly promoted. In recent years, use of hydrocarbon refrigerants having a low global warming potential has been studied in consideration of the influence on global warming.
[0003]
As a conventional vending machine, there is a vending machine using a flammable refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
Hereinafter, the conventional vending machine will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0005]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the configuration of the entire conventional vending machine. As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional vending machine includes a main body case 1 serving as a heat insulating casing, an outer door 2, a product outlet 2a provided on the outer door 2, and a heat insulating inner door 3, and a housing of the main body case 1. Inside, a product storage rack 4 of, for example, a serpentine type, and a product unloading shooter 5 communicating with the product outlet 2a are installed. A fan 6 and an evaporator 7 are installed at the bottom of the case of the main body case 1. A condenser 9, a condenser fan 10 and a compressor 11 are provided in a machine room 8 provided below the vending machine. Is installed. Furthermore, a reversible explosion-proof motor is adopted as the fan motor 6a of the internal fan 6.
[0006]
In addition, on the back of the main body case 1, damper 12a, 13a is divided into a lower part and an upper part, and an exhaust port 12 for in-compartment air which communicates with a suction side of the in-compartment fan 6 and an outside air intake port 13 are opened to be normally closed. Is provided. Further, a refrigerant leak detection sensor S is provided in the storage of the main body case 1.
[0007]
The selling and cooling operation of the vending machine having such a configuration is well known. The product is stored in the product storage rack 4 and is kept cool at the sales temperature. The product is paid out from the product storage rack based on the sales command and passed through the shooter 5. To the product outlet 2a. In addition, when the compressor 11 is kept cool, air in the refrigerator is sucked into the fan 6 in the refrigerator through a suction duct partitioned to the rear side in the refrigerator of the main body case 1, and the low-temperature cold air cooled by heat exchange with the evaporator 7 here. Blows out toward the upper part of the refrigerator via the fan 6 to keep the products stored in the product storage rack 4 cool.
[0008]
On the other hand, if the refrigerant leaks unexpectedly from the evaporator 7 disposed inside the refrigerator or the capillary tube of the refrigerant pipe during the cool-keeping operation, the refrigerant leak detection sensor S detects the refrigerant leak, and based on the sensor signal, The operation of the compressor is immediately stopped by a command from a control unit (not shown) (the solenoid valve connected to the evaporator inlet side of the refrigerant circuit is closed), and the in-compartment fan 6 is switched from normal rotation to reverse rotation. The damper 12a, 13a of the exhaust port 12 and the outside air inlet 13 is opened by the blowing pressure of the fan or the operation of the actuator, and the leaked refrigerant is discharged out of the refrigerator.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-134837 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the conventional vending machine reverses the internal fan 6 and discharges the leaked refrigerant from the exhaust port 12 to the outside of the refrigerator, the leaked refrigerant accumulated in the product outlet 2a is not discharged to the outside of the refrigerator. There was a disadvantage that it remained as it was.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of discharging leaked refrigerant accumulated in a product outlet to the outside of a refrigerator.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a machine room having a ventilation hole located at a lower portion of a vending machine main body, and a refrigeration cycle using a flammable refrigerant, and is provided in front of the ventilation hole of the machine room. A communication hole communicating with the machine room is provided at the bottom of the product receiving portion of the product outlet located at the top, and when the flammable refrigerant leaks in the refrigerator, the flammable refrigerant accumulated around the product outlet, Utilizing the specific gravity, the product is guided from the communication hole at the bottom of the product receiving part to the machine room located below through the ventilation hole, and the leaked refrigerant is discharged to the outside through the ventilation hole provided in the machine room. Has the effect of causing.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the direction of flow of cooling air from the condenser fan provided in the machine room is from the front side to the back side of the vending machine, and is communicated from the product receiving portion. It forms a flow of wind that passes through the holes, and when the flammable refrigerant leaks in the refrigerator, the flammable refrigerant that accumulates around the product outlet is removed by using the specific gravity of the flammable refrigerant at the bottom of the product receiving portion. In addition to guiding from the communication hole to the machine room located at the bottom through the ventilation hole, refrigerant was leaked more quickly by sucking refrigerant from the communication hole at the bottom of the product receiving part using the flow of wind by the condenser fan It has the function of discharging the refrigerant out of the refrigerator.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, a condenser fan provided in a machine room and a leak detection sensor provided in a refrigerator are provided, and a signal from the leak detection sensor is provided based on the signal from the leak detection sensor. The fan control means for operating the condenser fan, when the leak detection sensor detects the leakage of the flammable refrigerant, even when the cooling system is stopped, the fan control means, by the fan control means, When the fan is forcibly operated, the flammable refrigerant accumulated around the product outlet is guided from the communication hole at the bottom of the product receiving portion to the machine room located at the bottom through the ventilation hole, and is discharged to the outside of the refrigerator.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a variable-speed evaporator fan provided in the refrigerator, a variable-speed condenser fan provided in the machine room, and a variable-speed condenser fan provided in the refrigerator. And a fan rotation speed control means for increasing the rotation speeds of the evaporator fan and the condenser fan based on a signal from the leak detection sensor. When the leakage of the flammable refrigerant is detected, the fan control means operates the evaporator fan provided in the refrigerator and the condenser fan provided in the machine room at a high rotation speed, and the operation is normally closed. When the flap is pushed open by the wind pressure of the evaporator fan, the combustible refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerator is discharged to the product outlet. The flammable refrigerant that accumulates around the product outlet is blown from the evaporator fan and the suction pressure from the condenser fan, whose rotation speed has been increased. Has the effect of being more quickly discharged out of the refrigerator.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure as a conventional one, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0017]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a lower longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, a machine room 16 having a front side vent hole 14 and a rear side vent hole 15 located at a lower portion of a vending machine main body, a refrigeration cycle using a flammable refrigerant, an in-compartment fan 6, an evaporator The machine room includes a condenser 7, a condenser 9, a condenser fan 10, and a compressor 11, and is provided at a bottom of a commodity receiving portion 17 of a commodity outlet 2a located at an upper front part of the front side ventilation hole 14 of the machine room 16. A communication hole 18 that communicates with the communication hole 16 is provided. The commodity payout port 19 has a flap 20.
[0019]
It is desirable that the communication hole 18 has as large an area as possible. However, it is necessary to satisfy the strength for receiving the conveyed goods and to minimize the intrusion of insects and dust from the outside. The configuration can be valid.
[0020]
Here, a grill 30 provided with an air intake hole for cooling the machine room 16 is usually formed below the outer door 2, and a flow of air is generated by the condenser fan 10. In the present embodiment, since it is necessary to guide the refrigerant accumulated in the product receiving portion 17 to the outside of the refrigerator through the communication hole 18, when the condenser fan 10 is operated, the air intake hole of the grill 30 is connected to the communication hole. The balance of the area with the hole 18 is important. That is, when the air that has entered from the air intake hole of the grill 30 flows backward from the bottom through the communication hole 18 when the condenser fan 10 operates, the leaked refrigerant is not discharged while remaining in the product receiving portion 17. The situation will continue.
[0021]
When the grill 30 is not provided with an air intake hole, when the condenser fan 10 is operating, the inside of the grill 30 has a negative pressure, and the refrigerant retained in the product receiving portion 17 passes through the communication hole 18. As a result, it can be reliably discharged from the machine room 16 to the outside of the refrigerator. However, when the condenser fan 10 is stopped, the refrigerant accumulated in the product receiving portion 17 flows into the machine room 16 through the communication hole 18, but since the condenser fan is not operating, It takes time because it is discharged by natural convection.
[0022]
Therefore, in consideration of the fact that the condenser fan 10 operates at the time of cooling, the grill 30 is provided with an air intake hole so that air flows from the upper part to the lower part of the communication hole 18 when the condenser fan 10 operates. There is a need.
[0023]
The operation of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.
[0024]
First, when a flammable refrigerant having a specific gravity larger than that of air leaks in the refrigerator, the flammable refrigerant stays in the lower portion of the refrigerator, and a part of the flammable refrigerant passes through the gap of the flap 20 and stays around the product outlet 2a. Will do.
[0025]
In the conventional example, there is a device for discharging the flammable refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator. However, as shown in FIG. In order to discharge, the leaked refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerator is discharged from the exhaust port 12, but the leaked refrigerant accumulated in the product outlet 2 a works in the direction in which the refrigerator fan 6 closes the flap 20. It is conceivable that it is left as it is without being discharged out of the refrigerator.
[0026]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the flammable refrigerant stagnating around the product outlet 2a has a higher specific gravity than air, it passes through the communication hole 18 provided at the bottom of the product receiving portion 17 of the product outlet 2a. Then, it flows down into the machine room 16, is guided into the inside of the machine room 16 from the front side vent hole 14 provided in the machine room 16, and is discharged out of the warehouse through the back side vent hole 15.
[0027]
Here, if the condenser fan is operating, the discharge to the outside of the refrigerator is performed more smoothly.
[0028]
In addition, when the condenser fan is stopped, if the grill 30 is provided with an air intake hole, it can be discharged out of the refrigerator by natural convection.
[0029]
Next, even when there is no leakage of the flammable refrigerant in the refrigerator, the air around the product outlet 2a and the air outside the refrigerator are in communication with each other. Since the air around the outlet 2a is shut off, there is no problem that the cool air or warm air inside the refrigerator leaks out of the refrigerator and the power consumption increases significantly.
[0030]
As described above, the vending machine according to the present embodiment has a machine room 16 having ventilation holes 14 and 15 located at a lower portion of the vending machine main body, and a machine room 16 at the bottom of the product receiving portion 17 of the product outlet 2a. In order to discharge the flammable refrigerant accumulated around the commodity outlet 2a to the outside when the flammable refrigerant leaks in the warehouse, the customer opens the door of the commodity outlet 2a. When opened, the ignition source such as a lit cigarette can prevent the flammable refrigerant from igniting or exploding.
[0031]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a lower longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
[0032]
In FIG. 2, a fan control means for operating the condenser fan 10 based on a signal from the leak detection sensor 21 provided with a condenser fan 10 provided in a machine room 16 and a leak detection sensor 21 provided in a refrigerator. 22.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, since the condenser fan 10 is forcibly operated at the time of refrigerant leakage, the air intake hole of the grill 30 is not provided. In addition, there is a gap 32 between the lower end of the grill 30 and the front part 31 of the bottom plate of the main body case 1, and it is necessary to consider the intrusion of air from there. A method of completely closing with a sealing member (not shown) is also conceivable.
[0034]
The operation of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0035]
First, in step 1, the presence or absence of leakage is detected by the leakage detection sensor 21 provided in the storage. Next, when it is determined in step 2 that there is a leak, in step 3, the condenser fan 10 provided in the machine room 16 is operated by the fan control means 22. Here, the blowing direction of the condenser fan 10 is from the front vent 14 to the rear vent 15 of the machine room 16.
[0036]
As a result, the flammable refrigerant accumulated around the product outlet 2a has a higher specific gravity than air, and flows down into the machine room 16 through the communication hole 18 provided at the bottom of the product receiving portion 17, and the front surface of the machine room 16 The air is sucked from the side vent hole 14 by the condenser fan 10 in the machine room 16, and is discharged from the rear side vent hole 15 of the machine room 16 to the outside of the refrigerator.
[0037]
Then, in step 4, it is determined that the cooling operation cannot be performed due to the leakage of the refrigerant, and the sales are stopped.
[0038]
If it is determined in step 2 that there is no leakage, the normal operation of step 5 is performed.
[0039]
However, immediately after the leak detection by the leak detection sensor 21 is performed and the leakage operation of the leaked refrigerant by the condenser fan 10 is performed, even if the leak detection sensor 21 does not detect the refrigerant leakage, the control method does not automatically return. Is normal. Until the completion of the repair / confirmation, safety can be ensured by setting a return condition that human intervention is required.
[0040]
As described above, the vending machine of the present embodiment is provided with the condenser fan 10 provided in the machine room 16, the leak detection sensor 21 provided in the storage, and the fan control means 22. In order to guide the flammable refrigerant accumulated around the outlet from the communication hole 18 at the bottom of the product receiving portion 17 to the machine room 16 located at the lower portion through the vent hole 14 and discharge it to the outside of the refrigerator, the customer opens the door of the product outlet 2a. When opened, the ignition source such as a lit cigarette can prevent the flammable refrigerant from igniting or exploding. In addition, since the forced exhaust is performed using the condenser fan 10 in the machine room 16, even if the flammable refrigerant leaks at a high speed, the flammable refrigerant does not stay for a long time in the vicinity of the product outlet 2a, and the safety is maintained. Is improved.
[0041]
In the operation of the present embodiment, the flow ends when the flammable refrigerant leaks due to the suspension of sales in step 4, but steps such as displaying the leak, turning on or blinking an alarm or a lamp, etc. are added. It also allows outsiders to respond quickly in the event of a leak.
[0042]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a lower longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
[0043]
In FIG. 4, a variable-speed evaporator fan 23 provided in the refrigerator, a variable-speed condenser fan 24 provided in the machine room 16, and a leak detection sensor 25 provided in the refrigerator are provided. It is provided with fan rotation speed control means 26 for increasing the rotation speed of the evaporator fan 23 and the condenser fan 24 based on a signal from the sensor 25.
[0044]
The operation of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0045]
First, in step 6, the presence or absence of leakage is detected by the leakage detection sensor 25 provided in the storage. Next, in step 7, when it is determined that there is a leak, the operation is performed by increasing the rotation speeds of the evaporator fan 23 and the condenser fan 24 by the fan rotation speed control means 26 in step 8 than usual. As a result, the combustible refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerator pushes and opens the normally closed flap 20 by the wind pressure of the evaporator fan 23 whose rotation speed is increased, and is discharged to the product outlet 2a.
[0046]
Further, the flammable refrigerant accumulated around the product outlet 2a is discharged from the communication hole 18 provided at the bottom of the product receiving portion 17 by the blowing pressure of the evaporator fan 23 and the suction pressure of the condenser fan 24 to the front side of the machine room 16. The air is guided to the machine room 16 located at the lower part through the ventilation hole 14, and is discharged from the rear side ventilation hole 15 of the machine room 16 to the outside of the refrigerator. Then, in step 9, the sales are stopped.
[0047]
If it is determined in step 7 that there is no leakage, the normal operation of step 10 is performed.
[0048]
However, also in this case, as described in the second embodiment, immediately after the leakage detection by the leakage detection sensor 21 is performed and the leakage operation of the leakage refrigerant by the condenser fan 10 is performed, the leakage detection sensor 21 detects the refrigerant leakage. Normally, a control method that does not automatically return to the normal state even when the operation is stopped.
[0049]
As described above, the vending machine according to the present embodiment includes the variable-speed evaporator fan 23 provided in the refrigerator, the variable-speed condenser fan 24 provided in the machine room 16, and the refrigerator. It is provided with a leak detection sensor 25 and a fan rotation speed control means 26, and pushes the flap 20 open by the wind pressure of the evaporator fan 23 and discharges the combustible refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerator to the product outlet 2a. The flammable refrigerant accumulated around the product outlet is discharged from the evacuation fan 23 and the suction pressure of the condenser fan 24 from the communication hole 18 at the bottom of the product receiving portion 17 through the ventilation hole 14 to the machine room 16 located at the lower portion. And discharged to the outside. Therefore, when the customer opens the door of the product outlet 2a, it is possible to prevent the flammable refrigerant from igniting or exploding due to an ignition source such as a lit cigarette. In addition, two evaporator fans 23 in the refrigerator and a condenser fan 24 in the machine room 16 forcibly exhaust the flammable refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerator and in the vicinity of the product outlet 2a. There is no refrigerant stagnation point, and safety is further improved.
[0050]
In the operation of the present embodiment, the flow ends when the flammable refrigerant leaks due to the suspension of the sales in Step 9, but steps such as displaying the leak, turning on or blinking an alarm or a lamp, etc. are added. It also allows outsiders to respond quickly in the event of a leak.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a communication hole communicating with the machine room at the bottom of the product receiving portion of the product outlet, and when the flammable refrigerant leaks in the refrigerator, When the door of the product outlet is opened, it is possible to prevent the flammable refrigerant from igniting or exploding by an ignition source such as a lit cigarette.
[0052]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the flow direction of the cooling air from the condenser fan provided in the machine room is changed from the front side to the back side of the vending machine. The customer opens the product exit door to quickly discharge the flammable refrigerant that has leaked from the interior of the warehouse to the product exit through the machine room. When ignited, the flammable refrigerant can be prevented from igniting or exploding by an ignition source such as a lit cigarette.
[0053]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, a leakage detection sensor and a fan control unit are provided. The flammable refrigerant is forced out and the flammable refrigerant is discharged out of the refrigerator. Therefore, even if the flammable refrigerant leaks at a high speed, the flammable refrigerant does not stay around the product outlet for a long time, improving safety. .
[0054]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an evaporator fan having a variable number of rotations provided in a refrigerator, a condenser fan having a variable number of rotations provided in a machine room, and fan rotation number control means. When the leakage of the flammable refrigerant is detected, the fan rotation speed control means operates the evaporator fan and the condenser fan at a high rotation speed to discharge the flammable refrigerant to the outside of the refrigerator. Since the flammable refrigerant accumulated in the vending machine is forcibly exhausted, the flammable refrigerant does not stay inside the vending machine, and the safety is further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a lower longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a lower longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention; FIG. Flow chart of vending machine [FIG. 4] A lower longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 5] Flow chart of a vending machine of the embodiment [FIG. 6] Overall configuration of a conventional vending machine Cross-sectional view [Explanation of reference numerals]
2a Product outlet 10 Condenser fans 14, 15 Vent hole 16 Machine room 17 Product receiving section 18 Communication hole 21 Leakage detection sensor 22 Fan control means 23 Evaporator fan 24 Condenser fan 25 Leakage detection sensor 26 Fan rotation speed control means

Claims (4)

A machine room having a vent located at the lower part of the vending machine main body, comprising a refrigeration cycle using a flammable refrigerant, and a product receiving portion of a product outlet located at a front upper part of the vent in the machine room. A vending machine provided with a communication hole at the bottom for communicating with the machine room. 2. The flow direction of the cooling air by the condenser fan provided in the machine room is from the front side to the back side of the vending machine, and forms a flow of air passing from the product receiving portion through the communication hole. The vending machine described. The condenser fan according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a condenser fan provided in the machine room; a leak detection sensor provided in the storage; and fan control means for operating the condenser fan based on a signal from the leak detection sensor. The vending machine described. A variable-speed evaporator fan provided in the refrigerator, a variable-speed condenser fan provided in the machine room, and a leak detection sensor provided in the refrigerator, based on a signal from the leak detection sensor, 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a fan rotation speed control unit that increases a rotation speed of the evaporator fan and the condenser fan. 4.

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